Latest Election Lawsuit

last SG · 2006-04-22T18:16:42+00:00

I beg to differ. Perhaps my experience with system gave me a rather negative perspective of its viability. System can be manipulated. Look at NKF, US Oliver...

robertteh SG

Whether something said is defamatory or not depends on the listeners. The court of judges should perceive the effect of statements alleged to be defamatory on the common man in the street.

A panel of jury will be better able to decide whether something said is in fact defamatory than the judges as such statements are more often than not questions of facts rather than laws.

It is sad that jury system has been abolished and today we have left every issue of fact and law completely to the judges.

Thus, in our defamation cases, we have to depend solely on the judges for interpretations whether statements made are defamatory.

Judges' interpretations may or may not reflect true intent and purpose of the words as used and heard by the public layman who might regard certain things said as either jokes or humour or public knowledge and not any deliberate allegations. For example when something has been published in the newspapers very often and someone just utter the same matters should any one regard such published knowledge as defamation caused by the person alleged to make the statements.

Jury might interpret too what constitute justifications or duties of the state to be accountable and forthcoming with criticism of policies which went wrong.

So we need to look at our defamation laws and the method of trial in our courts for such cases so that the future trials will take all these facts into account and not completely trust the facts and interpretation of facts to the judges who might interpret facts on his own views rather than impact on ordinary man in the street.

Defamation or lowering of opinion of the party said to be defamed should not be left to the judges but through perception by a group of ordinary men in the street who hear those words claimed to be defamatory.

antoh SG

However, if you look at other Oppositions, they dont do that!!

Dont you think it is not very nice to spread rumours about yourself. Also imagine the Ruling party doing that to you. You will not be happy as well.

I admire Dr. Chee courage but he do it at in a open way.

LazerLordz SG

Chee was called a gangster and a liar a few years back. So the river flows both ways.

I think although he should be more restrained, get himself into Parliament, then start his issue-raising, the fact that defamation in this country seems to be too freely used, is not a good sign.

sbst275 SG

But if he can learn from CST or LTK to look at bread and butter issue more 1st, he could gain more support

But sometimes, he himself is asking for trouble... The peanuts wasn't from the mouth of a PAP member, yet he go make fun

LazerLordz SG

Well, in politics, you need to have your activists too.This is a sign of growth of civil political space, and though he seems not to be attracting a lot of support, it's a start.

Time will tell if he made his choice well. Smile

iveco SG

Maybe you should try Lancelin instead. It is a lovely fishing and diving spot just over 100 km north of Perth.

sbst275 SG

See how

But if the case goes on, SDP might just be destroyed under his hands...

iveco SG

A lot of NKF donors will not be happy with the latest case. It might turn the tide against PAP. Confused

sbst275 SG

But it's neither right to go make personal insults

Also, he can be dealt by the high court if he goes overbored

PRP SG

Yah, why sue?Can't debate?PM & MM have stated their stand.So pls debate!

From past experiece,it look like SDP sure lose.

Why sue?The want to give donation to charity Smile

LazerLordz SG

I was talking about somewhere near Lancelin too. Dandarangan Bay...

Honeybunz SG

PM in today's ST said that if we don't have defamation law, we will end up like USA where people say anything about the President without having to prove.

But let's see... Don't the Americans always have the best President or at the the President that they want? Don't they have much more effective govt system?

With two strong competition between two major parties in USA, the govt always strive to do their best in what they are supposed to do.

You are right... Why sue and not debate? What is the point of election and GE rallies then?

Two question..
Did the PM say that the Opp Party playing "Cat chasing Mouse" game?
If he did, isn't that a defamation/insult too?

Honeybunz SG

I am actually quite concerned if the Defamation Law and Lawsuits will eventually be misused or abused.

dotaro SG

At least SDP got the guts to say that out.
Foolish or not, at least somebody ddi it.

However, NKF issue shd not be used in this Election.
Other issues can be raised that will touch the hearts of people.
The bread and butter issues.

Rising costs VS Actual salary (with stats to back up)
Monopoly of businesses, forcing SMEs to suffer.
Old retail shops in estates not getting enuff incentives, forced to close due to businesses affected by NTUC & such.
Having casino debates when Govt eventually decides to build one.
Rational of double/triple taxes.
Why only have non-recordable cameras in MRTs previously, must wait until tragedy happen install them at teh cost of the people?
Etc...

Opposition parties shld try to target the young thru popular media.
The older folks are only more concerned of bread n butter issues.
No use targetiing topics like Foreign Talents.
They are a norm and Foreign Talents will surely vote for the Gov.

LazerLordz SG

It's not a good move, because NKF is not something that has disappeared from the public's mind.And the public will not cease discussion like before, and they have seen what sort of things can be hidden when lawsuits are piled upon the "whistle-blower" whether the truth is there, is another issue.

What is the issue here is how revelations may be treated, and I'm sure even the heartlanders are none too pleased with what's going on. The general sentiment is one of disagreement and tsk-tsking.

antoh SG

i feel NKF should not be discussed at the moment

sbst275 SG

Actually, they should be talking on accounting controls

Already what happened to Enron, is already here

SG,LauBaiXing SG

Did you forget what LKY said in the American International School ?
Now he say that we are not allow to follow the Ameriacans ?
This is real stink S.H.I.T. to make me believe what he said is truth !

geodome SG

Has anyone read/heard the litigation whereby 2 activists sued the UK Court for having unconstitutional defamation law over EU Court? The activists not only won the case, but also had the English defamation law ammended.

The EU judges ordered the UK government to change its defamation law from intially, only the defendent has to prove his claims to now both parties must prove their claims.

Even before the UK government amended their defamation law, the sueing of opposition politicians by members of the ruling party is unheard of anyway.

LazerLordz SG

Yes, but we don't have a East Asian Community and a supranational Parliament and legal system to do so.

Sigh.

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